Pro-Tec
Ace
Helmet

Product Description

The Ace BIKE helmets have quickly become the most recognizable helmets in the park or at the trails. Increased venting, aero styled shell, and SXP multi-impact technology are the key features protecting the skulls of a few OF our top riders like Ryan Guettler and Chris Doyle.

Strengths: Nice looking for those who don't like the Lance Armstrong, spandex-racer, super-aero look. The SXP model is designed to take multiple impacts (i.e. you don't have to throw it away after a small to moderate crash). It is CPSC certified for bicycle crashes AND certified for skating impacts. More head coverage than a regular bike helmet. Round profile could theoretically be better in a crash (nothing for the helmet to snag onto and cause neck damage). Inexpensive, even at the full $40 retail price

Weaknesses: Much fewer vent holes than a normal cycling helmet. Heavier than most bike helmets - though this is only relevant to weight-weenies - it weighs 450 grams versus 300 grams for my much more expensive road-racing helmet. It also has almost no adjustability possible - it either fits your head in the 3-4 sizes available, or it doesn't! There is no inner harness with a click-wheel like most normal bike helmets have. So you really, really, ought to try them on in the store before you buy one and accept that you'll have to pay $10 compared to buying online.

Bottom Line:

While all helmets look silly to some degree (especially off the bike!), this one is a lot cooler-looking when you are dressed in street clothes. It won't make you look like a spandex-clad wanna-be racer, either. However, it doesn't have nearly as much venting as most high quality bike helmets. I haven't had it long enough to tell you if this is a major problem, but I'll try to post back and compare it to my other bike helmets in terms of warm-weather comfort.

5-chilis for value! This one is cheap, even at full retail, AND it can take multiple impacts, so it's not disposable.

I just bought these brakes used last week (and I have personally re-bled it, rebuilt the rear caliper, sanded rotors and pads), but these still lack in bite (they're four-piston mind you).
The weird thing is that when I wash down the caliper/rotor and the brakes are wet (this is just after serv ... Read More »

Just got these brakes and slapped them on my DH bike (had Avid Elixir Mag CRs before that). The brakes are used and the type of pad is unknown. Anyway, I was expecting these brakes to slow me down considerably since they're 4-piston. I did loops on a very familiar trail (6 times) and the brakes f ... Read More »